LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Bugel passed away today at the age of 80. Bugel, regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in NFL history, was the team’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 1981-82 and became the assistant coach. in 1983, a role he would occupy until 1989 before becoming head coach of the Phoenix Cardinals. Bugel returned for a second season with the team as the 2004-09 offensive assistant coach.
“I am absolutely devastated by the news of Joe’s passing. Joe was a bigger than life figure and a true legend of his profession. He exemplified what it meant to be a Redskin with his character and ability to connect with his players along with a job Unrivaled Ethics We shared a special bond and he was a great friend He was a man who not only gave me a better understanding of the game of soccer but also gave me a perspective on what is really important in life absolutely I adored him and will be sorely missed. Tanya and I would like to express our deepest condolences to Brenda and the entire Bugel family during this time, “said Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder.
“Joe had an incredible passion for the game of soccer. He came to work every day with such excitement and his players respected him tremendously. The strength of our coaching staff on both sides of the ball was a key reason why we were so very successful Bugel was a big part of that and his impact was felt not only by the Redskins’ teams, but also throughout the League. I will miss their friendship and always appreciate our late night arguments to put the game together. Plan every week. Pat and I We will be praying for his wife Brenda, their girls and his entire family, “said former Washington Redskins head coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Joe Gibbs.
Bugel ended his iconic career after training for 32 NFL seasons. Training with Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs from 1981-89, Bugel was the architect of the dominant “Hogs” offensive line that included hardcore Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Mark May, Jeff Bostic and George Starke.
The group, one of the most dominant in the league’s annals, led the Redskins to three Super Bowls, including victories after the 1982 and 1987 seasons. Bugel was instrumental in developing four offensive linemen who won Pro positions. Bowl: Grimm (4), Jacoby (4), Bostic (1) and May (1).
Bugel was promoted to assistant coach in 1983, the year the Redskins scored an NFL record of 541 points.
In his first nine years in Washington, he helped the Redskins’ offense produce four 1,000-yard runners, one 4,000-yard passer and nine 1,000-yard catchers.
The Redskins were 92-48 in the regular season and 11-3 in the postseason in that span and won two Super Bowls in the 1982 and 1987 seasons.
Bugel was hired by the then Phoenix Cardinals as head coach in 1990. He would serve as head coach of the Cardinals for four seasons before joining the Oakland Raiders as assistant / offensive head coach from 1995-96 and head coach. in 1997. He also coached the offensive line for the San Diego Chargers from 1998-2001.
After a two-year break from training, Bugel returned to the Redskins in 2004 as an assistant offensive head coach under Joe Gibbs, although his main job was working with the offensive line. He remained as the offensive line coach in 2008 and retired after the 2009 season.
During his second stint with the team, Bugel was instrumental in the development and success of T
Chris Samuels, who reached four consecutive Pro Bowls under the guidance of Bugel from 2005-09. His forehead also helped RB Clinton Portis establish itself as one of the top racers of the decade. The Redskins had over 1,000 rushing yards in five consecutive seasons (2004-08) with Bugel leading the offensive line.
Bugel’s offensive front led the Redskins to the top 10 consecutive rushing yards per game in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The Redskins ranked seventh in the NFL and averaged 136.4 yards per game in 2005. The following season (2006 ), Washington ranked fourth in the NFL with an average of 138.5 yards per competition. Additionally, the Redskins Pass Protection Unit allowed just 19 sacks, the third-lowest in the NFL in 2006.
Born in Pittsburgh, Bugel was a soccer star at Munhall High School. In 2005, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (Western Chapter). Bugel and his wife, Brenda, have daughters: Angie, Jennifer, and the late Holly Bugel.
He was born on March 10, 1940.
